Top San Diego students honored at SeaWorld

San Diego’s top graduating seniors should continue to work hard, strive for academic excellence and encourage others to succeed, Congresswoman Susan Davis said during a special ceremony Thursday afternoon at SeaWorld.

Davis was among an estimated crowd of about 500 at the park’s Nautilus Pavilion, where the San Diego Unified School District held its annual “Salute to Excellence.” This year, 96 students representing 32 high schools were honored for their academic achievement.

“You’d be surprised at the example that you set,” Davis, D-San Diego, said during her brief address.

Davis also stressed the importance of parents encouraging their kids to ensure future generations can compete in the global economy.

“We know they can, but we need to make sure we invest in them,” she said.

The Salute to Excellence honored the valedictorians who make up the top 1 percent of academic achievers in the district. Students all received medals and a commemorative pen during the 90-minute presentation that included speeches from Board of Education President Richard Barrera and Superintendent Bill Kowba.

Two top students — Taylor Fugere-Cale from the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts and Joshua Yang from University City — also spoke. Fugere-Cale, 18, will be attending UC Berkeley and Yang, 16, will be attending UC San Diego in the fall on full academic scholarships.

“Do whatever you have passion for,” Fugere-Cale told the crowd. “Whatever doesn’t get you closer to your goal is a waste of time and an impediment to your happiness. Sometimes, you may have to do things that are hard and you won’t want to do them, but they’re merely hurdles you have to jump over on your race to success.”

Kowba called the event a chance to recognize, “the best of the best.”

“This is about celebrating for them and their families,” he said. “We also want to recognize the family members who have supported them to get them to where they are.”